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| Halal products that have great potential in Indonesia. (Photo: Syifa PR UMM) |
Indonesia is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world. Precisely at 240 million. It gives a lot of influence, ranging from policy and service to food. In its regulations, halal food must now have a sign that the food is halal.
According to the Head of UMM Safe-Halal Food Study Center, Prof. Dr. Ir. Elfi Anis Saati, M.P., said that the potential for halal products in Indonesia is enormous, as well as the manufacture of halal products, which are considered very good for the market. P Not only for the Indonesian market but also the global market. It is especially considering that Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, which is more than 200 million—even reaching 40% of the total population of ASEAN.
Furthermore, he stated that the presence of a halal certificate also helps the smooth production of halal food and its guarantee. Moreover, the halal certification has now been recognized by the World Trade Organization (WTO). Now, halal has also become a lifestyle for many people and encourages the growth of the sharia economy.
"Halal products also affect the sense of security that Muslim consumers have. Therefore, the government, entrepreneurs, universities, and research institutions must strive to accelerate the development of halal products," she added.
Elfi also explained that until now, 25% of MSMEs have halal certificates, 58% have P-IRT, and 38.24% have MD but have not completed CPPOB (Guidelines for Good Processed Food Production). Therefore, the Center for the Study of Halal-Safe Food UMM continues to support halal certification activities.
Therefore, mentoring is one of the essential things to expedite the development of halal food and the process. One of them is through mentoring and socialization. Until now, UMM Center for Halal-Safe Food Studies has carried out a series of activities. Starting from the "Food Safety and Halal" Workshop, training on rapidly detecting hazardous food ingredients, community service, and making healthy canteens.
"More than that, we always conduct research with patents and national and international journals," said Elfi.
The same thing was also conveyed by the President Director of the Halal Examination Institute and Halal Studies Thayiban (LPH-KHT) Muhammadiyah Central Executive Ir. M. Nadratuzzaman Hosen, M.S., M.Ec., Ph.D. According to him, the current halal certification process is still going through the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). The product assessment is based on the existing critical points. Starting with the inspection of materials divided into raw and additional materials. Both must be free from things that are haram. There are also auxiliary materials that are required not to come from pigs, dogs, and the human body.
The next critical point is in terms of the process. As he is known, Hosen explained that the place and production process should not be contaminated with unclean materials. Even if it is contaminated with dirty materials other than mughalladhah, there must be shar'i washing. Another thing that is no less important is the purity of the tools and packaging materials.
Hosen also emphasized other things that must be considered before applying for halal certification. One of them is avoiding food ingredients that come from the human body. "If it is found, it will be rejected because the material is forbidden. Those containing pork will also be rejected. As for if it is only mixed with najis nutawassithah, it can be considered as long as it can be cleaned again properly,". (cdr/wil)
Author: Hassanalwildan Ahmad Zain | Editor: Hassanalwildan Ahmad Zain
